He said the service was to have been modeled after Virgin Express, featuring new single-aisle jets, leather seats and "very good value for money."

With the help of computers, the controls of a wide-body jet carrying 380 passengers can be made to feel and perform the same as a single-aisle jet carrying 120.

But Hamburg will also receive a production line of the A320, the single-aisle jet that Airbus now produces in Toulouse, France, the official said.

Mr. Forgeard praised the agreement, saying that it would give Airbus more flexibility by insuring two strong assembly lines for its single-aisle jets.

John Leahy, the Airbus chief operating officer for customer affairs, said the order for single-aisle jets would give US Airways the largest fleet of A320s in the world.

But like Airbus, which buys emergency exit doors for the A320 from a supplier in Shenyang, Boeing sees good reasons to buy a range of parts in China for single-aisle jets.

Newer versions are expected to be used in Comac 919 single-aisle jets, the Airbus A350 and the Bombardier C-Series narrow body line.

Pratt & Whitney claims the PW1000G is 10% to 15% more fuel efficient than current engines used on regional jets and single-aisle jets, as well as being substantially quieter.

The reason for the high scores is that instead of the usual 3-2 seating in the single-aisle jet, it uses 2-2 seating, which allows for wider seats.

The order includes 30 of Airbus's original A320 single-aisle jets and 150 with Airbus's new engine-option A320s.